Gov’t investigating officials’ ill-gotten wealth

Addis Ababa, January 11, 2016 (FBC) –Investigation has been commenced into government officials who have generated wealth improperly, Dr Debretsion Gebremichael, Deputy Prime Minister for Finance and Economic Cluster and Minister of Communication and Information Technology said.
During his stay with FBC’s Mogach (debate) program, Dr Debretsion said, “Though it is a weakness not to address good governance problems so far, there shouldn’t be doubt on government’s determination to tackle the problem.”

“Good governance issues shouldn’t have been separated from development. This is a weakness. The government is committed to tackle the problems as it affects the ongoing development efforts,” he said.

Though good governance comes through process, the government is taking rapid corrective measures against individuals committing malpractices, he said.

Regarding telecommunication, he said, there will be a change in tariff rate. The telecom tariff rate in Ethiopia is less than the tariff in other countries. This was made to lift citizens out of poverty, he said.

As regards to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), the Minister said the study to be conducted on GERD will create trust among the riparian countries.

The impact of the dam should be analyzed in detail as it directly touches both Egypt and Sudan. Ethiopia supports the study as it helps to find solutions if there are problems, he said.

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam benefits not only Ethiopia but also the riparian counties and this should be verified by professional study, he said.

According to him, no study will be conducted after the study to be held by the two firms chosen by Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt.

During a meeting held from December 27-29, 2015 in Khartoum, Sudan, Foreign and Irrigation Ministers of the three countries chose a new company known as Artelia.

The two firms, Artelia and BRL groups, will officially commence their studies on the dam early next month.